Electrician

Electricians bring electrical power to homes and factories in every city and town in America. It is a steady occupation that is expected to grow rapidly in the coming years and is evolving with new levels of technology. You can choose to work for an electrical contractor, be on staff in a factory or own your own business, with the right license. All in all, it’s an exciting profession that’s always in demand.

WHAT DOES AN ELECTRICIAN DO?

Electricians install and maintain electrical power, wiring, communications, lighting and control systems in homes, businesses and factories. They work in accordance with rules and regulations to ensure that buildings operate in a way that is safe to residents and occupants.

Electricians’ general day-to-day responsibilities include: • Ensure businesses and factories operate safely and efficiently through scheduled maintenance and upgrades to their electrical systems. • Repair control systems, large and small motors and other equipment in factories; install electrical machines in factories. • Read blueprints and install electrical wiring and systems in new residential and commercial buildings under construction. • Access, test and upgrade older systems during remodeling projects. Find and replace faulty or aged wiring that could pose a safety hazard. • Plan the layout and installation of wiring through an entire building or series of buildings. Add, maintain and replace circuit breakers, fuses and wires. • Review the work other electricians do, making sure it meets the safety standards and building codes.

Electricians can be divided into four general categories: Residential Wiremen • Install and maintain electrical wires that go into people's homes. • Install new electrical equipment, such as light fixtures, ceiling fans, dimmer switches and outlets. Inside Wiremen • Place and maintain electrical wires in office buildings, factories, airports, schools and hospitals. • Maintenance or repair of assembly line machinery or motors. Telecommunications Electricians • Lay cable (including fiber optics) needed for all forms of communication, including phone and computers. • Install systems that run telephones, intercoms, computer networks, security and fire alarms. Outside Linemen • Work atop telephone poles or alongside the road. • Work to restore power after storms and floods. WHAT’S NEW? Green Energy • Green energy includes solar panels and wind turbines to generate power. • Electricians handle special storage units called high-efficiency photovoltaic cells to collect energy. • They also install and service power converters, which take the energy generated by the sun or wind, convert it to electricity and download it into the electrical system. Smart Electrical Grids • New technology that regulates the flow of power to users, detects malfunctions in the grid, and maintains service to homes and businesses. • Electricians keep smart grids running at peak performance. Home-Powered Roof Shingles

Roof shingles that collect sunlight and convert it into energy that powers the building. The shingles could potentially present a lower-cost option than conventional solar panels.

Electricians are needed to wire the solar shingling system into the building’s electrical systems.

WHERE DO ELECTRICIANS WORK?

Electricians work indoors and outdoors, at homes, businesses, factories and construction sites. Many electricians work alone, but sometimes they collaborate with others. At larger companies, electricians are more likely to work as part of a crew. During scheduled maintenance or on construction sites, electricians can expect to work overtime.

Work schedules may include evenings and weekends and may vary during times of bad weather, which may require working in rain, wind or snow.

WHAT’S THE JOB OUTLOOK?

Electricians held about 6,200 jobs in Arkansas in 2018, the majority of them working for electrical contractors. Nearly all electricians work full time. The U.S. Department of Labor projects electrician jobs in Arkansas to grow by a healthy 12% by 2028, well ahead of the national average. HOW MUCH CAN I MAKE? • Lower range wages (bottom 10 percent) — $26,730 annually/$12.85 per hour • Middle range wages (median) — $42,470 annually/$20.42 per hour • Higher range wages (top 10 percent) — $62,260 annually/$29.94 per hour

Your actual earning power depends on the company your work for, your level of experience and licensing, your years of experience and, in some cases, the part of the state where you work.

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE SUCCESSFUL? • Intellectual ability • Skills in math, algebra, reading, writing. • Troubleshooting • Mechanical ability • Business/interpersonal skills such as time management and communication • Physical skills HOW DO I LEARN THE CRAFT?

Most electricians learn their trade in a combination of classroom education and on-the-job training. Some two-year colleges also offer courses in electrical fields. Generally, a high school diploma is sufficient to get started.

The most common way electricians learn is through an apprenticeship program; think of these programs as “electrician school.” Apprenticeship programs take four or five years to complete and are often paid for by your employer. Some schools are also offered by trade groups and labor unions.

Since most apprentices are already employed, they work during the day where they are supervised by more experienced, licensed electricians and attend class at night. Upon completion of apprentice school, you can test for your journeyman’s license, which allows you to work unsupervised on most tasks.

You can stay a journeyman electrician as long as you want, but many electricians choose to test for the highest license, a master electrician. You are eligible to test for your master’s license after being an electrician for five years, at least one of which must be at the journeyman level. The benefits of becoming a master electrician is more money and they may open their own electrical business.

Electricians may be required to take continuing education courses by their employers. These courses are usually related to safety practices, changes to the electrical code and training from manufacturers on specific products.